PM directs SBP, finance ministry to act against banks delaying priority-sector loans

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has asked the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the finance ministry to act against banks that hold up lending to farmers, small businesses and applicants for the Apna Ghar housing scheme. Profit by Pakistan Today reported that he also opposed offering central bank or ministry concessions to lenders that fail to support government credit programmes.

Officials told the meeting that Apna Ghar approvals totalled Rs511 billion for 86,899 applications by October 23, but disbursements stood at Rs91 billion for 15,584 applicants. Agriculture loans were Rs1,329 billion and SME financing Rs1,148 billion; the government aims to raise lending in each sector to Rs1,500 billion by the end of fiscal year 2026-27. Sharif also called for a strategy to ease financing constraints and a mechanism to share lending risks.